Stacked Heat Exchanger System with Swing-Out Heat Exchangers

ABSTRACT

A heat exchanger system for use with heavy equipment including a heat exchanger rotatable about a horizontal axis out of a frame.

This application is related to U.S. Provisional application Ser. No.60/869,469 filed Dec. 11, 2006, the disclosure of which is expresslyincorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a heat exchanger system for heavyequipment such as a motor grader or an agricultural tractor.Specifically, the present invention is related to a heat exchangersystem with swing-out heat exchangers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, heavy equipment such as motor graders and wheel loaders arepowered by one or more diesel or gasoline powered internal combustionengines. Generally, these engines are liquid cooled, however, air orair/oil cooled engines may also be used. Most liquid cooled enginesinclude a heat exchanger system, the heat exchanger system including acoolant pump and a fan cooled heat exchanger. The term cooler can beused interchangeably with heat exchanger. Coolant passes through theheat exchanger and is cooled by air flow created by the fan. The fan maybe driven directly off of the engine or may be powered by any othersuitable means such as electrically or hydraulically. Generally, theheat exchanger and fan are positioned relatively close to the engine toreduce the distance coolant is required to flow.

Most heavy equipment includes a hydraulic system having a hydraulic pumpand at least one hydraulic cylinder used to actuate a component of themachinery such as a boom and/or a bucket. The hydraulic pump may alsosupply other components of the machinery such as the transmission and/orthe cooling fan. The hydraulic system may also include a heat exchangerto cool the hydraulic fluid. This heat exchanger may be placed adjacentto or integral with the engine coolant heat exchanger described above.Generally, the engine cooling fan or a supplemental fan provides airflowover the heat exchanger to cool the hydraulic fluid.

Traditionally, manufacturers design systems that have heat exchangersstacked in front of each other, and/or placed next to each other in aside-by-side configuration. Today's cooling loads have greatly increasedwith the use of sophisticated transmissions, more air conditioners, andhighly turbocharged engines. Vehicle space is at a premium because thenumber and size of components have increased, while the size of theenclosure has not changed. Some solutions have required manufacturers toincrease the length of the heat exchanger system and have requiredservice personnel to climb on the machine to service the heat exchangersystem.

When heat exchangers are installed on heavy equipment, the heatexchangers may be subjected to vibration. In some applications it isuseful to damp out these vibrations using vibrational isolators.Vibrational isolators absorb energy which may reduce the amount ofdamage done to the heat exchanger, which may prolong the useful life ofthe heat exchanger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a heat exchanger system including aplurality of heat exchangers accessible for cleaning and service.

One embodiment of the present invention includes a heat exchanger systemincluding a frame, a fan coupled to the frame, and a first non-fixedheat exchanger assembly coupled to the frame, the first non-fixed heatexchanger assembly located within a first plane, the first non-fixedheat exchanger rotatable about an axis transverse to the first plane.

Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a heat exchangersystem including a frame, a non-fixed heat exchanger rotatable about ahorizontal axis out of the frame, and a hinge assembly operably couplingthe non-fixed heat exchanger to the frame, the hinge assembly includinga vibration-isolated bushing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features of this invention, and the mannerof attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itselfwill be better understood by reference to the following description ofembodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of a rear portionof motor grader including a heat exchanger system;

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the heat exchanger system shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the heat exchanger system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the heat exchanger system shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a magnified view of a portion of the heat exchanger systemshown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a portion of the heat exchanger systemshown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a magnified view of a portion of the heat exchanger systemshown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the heat exchanger system shown in FIG.1 showing heat exchanger units partially rotated about horizontal axesand a fan portion rotated about a vertical axis;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the heat exchanger system shown in FIG.7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the heat exchanger system shown in FIG.7 showing the heat exchanger units rotated on a horizontal axis and oneheat exchanger rotated on a vertical axis;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the heat exchanger system shown in FIG.9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the rear portion of a motor gradershown in FIG. 1 with the heat exchanger units rotated on a horizontalaxis;

FIG. 12 is a rear view of the motor grader shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the motor grader shown in FIG. 11 with one heatexchanger rotated on a vertical axis; and

FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view of the rear portion of motorgrader shown in FIG. 13.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. Although the drawings representembodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarilyto scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to betterillustrate and explain the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive orlimit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the followingdetailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and describedso that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, one embodiment of heavy equipment isshown. Rear engine and cab portion of motor grader 10 includes cab 12and rear body 14. Back portion 16 of rear body 14 houses heat exchangersystem 20. In this illustrative embodiment, back portion 16 includesrear door assembly 18 which may be rotated outward to allow access tointernal components of motor grader 10. In the illustrative embodiment,only a single rear door assembly 18 is shown. However, it should beunderstood that any suitable arrangement of housing affecting access tothe heat exchanger system and individual components thereof may be used.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an exploded view of heat exchanger system 20 isshown. Heat exchanger system 20 is supported by the engine frame (notshown) of the motor grader 10 (FIG. 1). Heat exchanger system 20includes fan portion 22, frame portion 24 and heat exchanger portion 26.Frame portion 24 includes base plate 21, top plate 23 and frame housing25. Frame housing 25 is supported by the engine frame (not shown) and isoperably coupled to top plate 23.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, fan portion 22 pivotally couples to framehousing 25 by hinges 28. Hinges 28 allow for fan portion to pivotallymove between open and closed arrangements. In this illustrativeembodiment hinges 28 are shown, however it should be understood that anysuitable pivotal coupler may be used. Therefore, in this illustrativeembodiment, fan portion 22 is hinged about vertical axis 29, movingbetween open and closed positions. In this illustrative embodiment onlymovement about vertical axis 29 is shown, however, it should beunderstood that any suitable movement may be used, for exampletranslation, rotation, pivoting, sliding or otherwise. Another exampleis where the fan portion 22 pivots about one point of a horizontal axisalong the longitudinal axis of the motor grader 10. Fan portion 22 mayalso include a fastening mechanism, illustratively shown as latchingmechanism 30. Latching mechanism 30 may retain fan portion 22 in aclosed position. In this illustrative embodiment a single latchingmechanism 30 is shown, however, it should be understood that any numberof latching mechanisms, for example for fastening fan portion 22 indifferent positions, may be used.

Heat exchanger portion 26 is coupled to base plate 21 and top plate 23.Therefore heat exchanger portion 26 is indirectly coupled to engineframe (not shown) and frame housing 25.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view of heat exchanger system 20is shown. Heat exchanger portion 26 includes a plurality of heatexchangers including first non-fixed heat exchanger assembly 32, firstfixed heat exchanger 34 and second non-fixed heat exchanger 38. Thereare several additional heat exchangers not shown in FIG. 3 which will bediscussed later. Heat exchanger 32 is pivotally coupled to base plate 21by hinge assembly 40, as discussed in greater detail below. Thereforeheat exchanger 32 is rotatable about horizontal axis 42. Heat exchanger32 and all other heat exchangers although described in the singular mayinclude a plurality of heat exchanger units. Heat exchanger units may beused to cool fluids for systems of the heavy equipment, such as, forexample: engine coolant, axle oil, air conditioner, hydraulic oil,charge air, transmission oil, or engine oil.

As illustratively shown in FIG. 3, heat exchanger 32 may include an axleoil heat exchanger (not shown) and a hydraulic oil heat exchanger (notshown). Heat exchanger 32 may also include handle 33, as shown. It isunderstood that handle 33 may include different types, such as pull,twist, or grip. Consistent with this illustration, heat exchanger 32includes hydraulic connectors 46 and 48 and axle connectors 50 and 52.As best illustrated in FIG. 4, hydraulic hose 54 is removably coupled tohydraulic connector 48 and axle oil hose 56 is removably coupled to axleconnector 52.

As shown in FIG. 3, hydraulic connectors 46 and 48, axle connectors 50and 52 and frame portion connectors (not shown) rotatably couple tohydraulic hose 54, axle oil hose 56 and other first heat exchanger hoses(not shown). Three components may couple any of the disclosed hoses toany of the disclosed connectors. The connectors may include ports whichmay act as fluid conduits. The hoses may include end pieces to act ascouplers. There may be a fitting to act as an adapter to couple the hoseto the connector. The motion of the non-fixed heat exchangers may inducetwisting or bending actions on the hoses. Suitable connectors may allowfor the hoses to freely rotate during motion of the non-fixed heatexchangers. The ports, end pieces, or fittings may each allow forrotation of any of the disclosed hoses in relation to any of thenon-fixed heat exchangers.

Suitable connectors include Snap-To-Connect (STC) connectors which arecommercially available by Eaton Corporation, Eaton Center, 1111 SuperiorAve, Cleveland, Ohio USA 44114-2584. Advantages of using suitableconnectors include as features that hydraulic hose 54, axle oil hose 56and other first heat exchanger hoses (not shown) return to theirpre-rolled out state when heat exchanger 32 rotates about horizontalaxis 42 and that non-fixed heat exchangers may be rotated from theiroperating position without disconnecting the hoses from the heatexchanger. When a non-fixed heat exchanger rotates about an axis, a hosewith an STC connector coupled to the heat exchanger would notsignificantly twist. Twists may reduce the life of the hose. STCconnectors rotate which eliminates twists in hoses preserving hose life.

Suitable hoses may be molded into a preferred position. A preferredmolded position would help hoses return to their pre-rolled out state.Returning the hose to their pre-rolled out state may reduce thelikelihood of a hose contacting a hot surface.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, hinge assembly 40 includes firstfastener portion 120, second fastener portion 122, bushing 124, bolt 126and nut 128. Hinge assembly 40 is adapted to be coordinated in anyconventional manner. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, first fastenerportion 120 is coupled to base plate 21 and adapted to receive bolt 126through apertures 130 disposed along horizontal axis 42 (FIG. 3). Inthis illustrative embodiment, second fastener portion 122 is coupled tofirst non-fixed heat exchanger 32. Second fastener portion 122 is alsoconfigured to receive bushing 124 and/or bolt 126 through aperture 132.First fastener portion 120 is also configured to receive second fastenerportion 122, bolt 126 and/or bushing 124 disposed along horizontal axis42 (FIG. 3).

As also illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, bushing 124 is adapted to receivebolt 126 through aperture 134. As shown in FIG. 6, bushing 124 mayinclude first tube 136 and second tube 138. As illustrated, second tube138 is concentric to first tube 136. As also illustrated, second tube138 is concentric to first tube 136. First tube 136 may be comprised ofsteel, metals, alloys, or other rigid materials. Second tube 138 may becomprised of rubber, polymer, foam, resilient or other vibrationisolating materials. As illustrated, resilient second tube 138 isolatessecond fastener portion 122 and therefore first non-fixed heat exchanger32. Resilient second tube 138 serves to absorb vibration associated withfirst fastener portion 120. It is understood that all non-fixed heatexchangers may have hinge assemblies similar to hinge assembly 40including resilient second tubes to absorb vibration.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, first fixed heat exchanger 34 is used to coolcharge air. Consistent with this illustration, first fixed heatexchanger 34 includes charge air connectors 58 and 60. Charge airconnectors 58 and 60 are shown coupled to charge air hoses 62 and 64,respectively.

Still as illustrated in FIG. 3, second non-fixed heat exchanger 38 ispivotally coupled to heat exchanger 32 by pivot system 66. It isunderstood that pivot system 66 may include different types of hingeassembly, such as pivot, butt/mortise, continuous (i.e. piano hinge),concealed hinge, butterfly (i.e., parliament), counterflap, flush,coach, rising butt, double action spring, tee, friction, security,cranked (i.e., stormproof), lift-off, or self-closing. It is alsounderstood that second non-fixed heat exchanger 38 could be coupled inother ways to heat exchanger 32, such as slidably coupled. Thereforesecond non-fixed heat exchanger 38 is rotatable about axis 68. Asillustrated axis 68 is horizontal. It is understood that axis 68 may bevertical or any other orientation between vertical and horizontal. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, second non-fixed heat exchanger 38 is used as acondenser for air conditioning (A/C). Consistent with this illustration,second non-fixed heat exchanger 38 includes A/C connectors 70 and 72respectively which are adapted to couple to A/C hoses (not shown). A/Choses (not shown) can flex.

Referring now to FIG. 7, heat exchanger portion 26 also includes thirdnon-fixed heat exchanger 36 including handle 37. It is understood thathandle 37 may include different types, such as pull, twist, or grip.Third non-fixed heat exchanger 36 is pivotally coupled to base plate 21(FIG. 3) by hinge assembly 80. Hinge assembly 80 is similar to hingeassembly 40 as previously described. Similar to heat exchanger 32, thirdnon-fixed heat exchanger 36 is rotatable about horizontal axis 82. Thirdnon-fixed heat exchanger 36 remains disposed about horizontal axis 82during rotation, as illustrated by arrow 84. As illustrated in FIG. 7,third non-fixed heat exchanger 36 is used as a transmission oil heatexchanger. Consistent with this illustration, third non-fixed heatexchanger 36 includes transmission oil connectors 86 and 88 (FIG. 10).As best illustrated in FIG. 10, transmission oil connectors 86 and 88are adapted to couple to transmission oil hoses 90 and 92. Transmissionoil connectors 86 and 88 and frame portion connectors (not shown) coupleto transmission oil hoses 90 and 92 while allowing transmission oilhoses 90 and 92 to rotate freely. Transmission oil connectors 86 and 88and frame portion connectors (not shown) couple to transmission oilhoses 90 and 92 while allowing rotation. Suitable connectors include STCconnectors which are commercially available by Eaton Corporation, EatonCenter, 1111 Superior Ave, Cleveland, Ohio USA 44114-2584. Suitableconnectors enable transmission oil hoses 90 and 92 return to theirpre-rolled out state when third non-fixed heat exchanger 36 rotatesabout horizontal axis 82 (FIG. 7) while the hoses remain in fluidcommunications with the heat exchanger.

Referring back to FIG. 7, fan portion 22 rotates along arrow 94. Stillreferring to FIG. 7, heat exchanger portion 26 also includes secondfixed heat exchanger 96. Second fixed heat exchanger 96 is coupled tobase plate 21 in a similar manner to first fixed heat exchanger 34. Asexemplified, second fixed heat exchanger 96 is used as a heat exchangerfor engine coolant. Consistent with the illustration in FIG. 8, secondfixed heat exchanger 96 includes heat exchanger connectors 98 and 100shown coupled to heat exchanger hoses 102 and 104.

Referring to FIG. 8, heat exchanger 32 and second non-fixed heatexchanger 38 may rotate as indicated by arrow 106. Fastening member 108prevents excess rotation and couples heat exchanger 32 to first fixedheat exchanger 34. It is also understood that an alternative fasteningmember (not shown) similar to fastening member 108 may also couple heatexchanger 32 to frame housing 25 (FIG. 2) or second fixed heat exchanger96.

Now referring to FIG. 9, heat exchanger system 20 is shown with first,second and third non-fixed heat exchangers 32, 38 and 36 rotated abouthorizontal axes 42 (FIG. 3) and 82 (FIG. 7) respectively and secondnon-fixed heat exchanger 38 subsequently rotated about a vertical axis118 along arrow 116. Also shown in FIG. 9, fastening member 110 preventsexcess rotation and couples third non-fixed heat exchanger 36 to firstfixed heat exchanger 34. It is understood that an alternative fasteningmember (not shown) similar to fastening member 110 may also couple thirdnon-fixed heat exchanger 36 to second fixed heat exchanger 96 or framehousing 25 (FIG. 2).

As illustrated in FIG. 10, fan portion 22 is hydraulically driven.Consistent with this illustration, fan portion 22 is adapted to coupleto fan hoses 112, 114 and 117. Fan hoses 112, 114 and 117 may eachindependently represent supply hoses, return hoses or k-strain (alsoknown as a leak off hose) hoses. Alternatively fan portion 22 may beelectrically driven.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a perspective view of back portion 16 of rearengine and cab portion of motor grader 10 is shown in an openarrangement. All faces of all heat exchangers including first, second,and third non-fixed heat exchangers 32 (FIG. 12), 38 (FIG. 14) and 36and first and second fixed heat exchangers 34 and 96 are easilyaccessible to an operator on ground level. Inspection, maintenance, andcleaning of these heat exchangers by the operator is very simple andeasy as shown in FIGS. 11-14.

In operation, motor grader 10 and heat exchanger system 20 operate inthe closed arrangement as shown in FIG. 1. Ambient air passes throughall of the heat exchangers assisted by the fan portion 22. In one modeof operation, the ambient air is exhausted out of the rear of the motorgrader 10 through the fan portion 22, illustrated as a rear mounted,hydraulically driven, reversible fan. In another mode of operationambient air is drawn in the rear of the motor grader 10 through the fanportion 22 and passes through all of the heat exchangers.

While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design,the present invention may be further modified within the spirit andscope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended tocover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using itsgeneral principals. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this invention pertains.

1. A heat exchanger system comprising: a frame, a fan coupled to theframe, and a first non-fixed heat exchanger assembly coupled to theframe, the first non-fixed heat exchanger assembly located within afirst plane, the first non-fixed heat exchanger rotatable about an axistransverse to the first plane.
 2. The heat exchanger system of claim 1,further comprising a second non-fixed heat exchanger pivotally coupledto the first non-fixed heat exchanger assembly, the second non-fixedheat exchanger adapted to rotate away or slide away from the firstnon-fixed heat exchanger.
 3. The heat exchanger system of claim 2,wherein the second non-fixed heat exchanger is adapted to rotate away orslide away from the first non-fixed heat exchanger when the firstnon-fixed heat exchanger assembly is rotated out of the frame.
 4. Theheat exchanger system of claim 3, wherein the first and second non-fixedheat exchangers are accessible to an operator on the ground.
 5. The heatexchanger system of claim 1, further comprising a third non-fixed heatexchanger pivotally coupled to the frame, the third non-fixed heatexchanger rotatable about the axis transverse to the first plane.
 6. Theheat exchanger system of claim 5, wherein the third non-fixed heatexchanger is accessible to an operator on the ground.
 7. The heatexchanger system of claim 1, wherein the fan is hinged along a generallyvertical or a generally horizontal axis.
 8. The heat exchanger system ofclaim 1, wherein the fan is coupled to the frame about the axistransverse to the first plane.
 9. The heat exchanger system of claim 7,wherein the fan is adapted to translate in a generally vertical plane.10. A heat exchanger system comprising: a frame, a fan coupled to theframe, and a first non-fixed heat exchanger assembly pivotally coupledto the frame, the first non-fixed heat exchanger assembly rotatableabout a longitudinal axis out of the frame.
 11. The heat exchangersystem of claim 10, further comprising one or more hoses removablycoupled to the first non-fixed heat exchanger assembly.
 12. The heatexchanger system of claim 11, wherein one or more hoses are rotatablycoupled to at least one of the non-fixed heat exchanger assemblies whilethe at least one of the non-fixed heat exchanger assemblies rotates outof the frame.
 13. The heat exchanger system of claim 11, wherein one ormore hoses are accessible to an operator on the ground.
 14. The heatexchanger system of claim 10, wherein the fan is adapted to draw airthrough the first non-fixed heat exchanger assembly in more than onedirection.
 15. A heat exchanger system comprising: a frame, a non-fixedheat exchanger rotatable about a horizontal axis out of the frame, and ahinge assembly operably coupling the non-fixed heat exchanger to theframe, the hinge assembly including a vibration-isolated bushing. 16.The heat exchanger system of claim 15, wherein the vibration-isolatedbushing includes a first tube and a second tube concentric to the firsttube.
 17. The heat exchanger system of claim 16 wherein the first tubeis made of a rigid material.
 18. The heat exchanger system of claim 16wherein the first tube is made of metal.
 19. The heat exchanger systemof claim 16 wherein the second tube is made of a resilient material. 20.The heat exchanger system of claim 16 wherein the second tube is made ofa polymer.